<p>"I had crossed Smith off my list, because I’m socially introverted and want to date seriously in college–it is, however, a good academic fit. "</p>
<p>First of all, it doesn’t matter where you go, if you know it takes “breaking out of your shell” to get to know people + you want a serious relationship, neither will magically come to you. Even at a co-ed school. Everyone has to work to make friends + find a significant other. Many Smith students are unbeliviably friendly and there’s really a niche for everyone, seriously. Not to mention our unique housing system does a lot to foster community & close friendships within the house- look into it more! As for members of the opposite sex, Smith is hardly located on a desert island: the Pioneer Valley + the consortium offer social opportunities to meet folks of all genders. If you’re not into partying (& let’s face it, there are sketchy people sometimes you wouldn’t want to get to know…), there are orgs composed of members from different consortium schools, events open to/attended by Five College students, you can usually join another school’s athletic team, take classes at one of the other 4 schools after your first semester, you may know friends at the other schools, etc.</p>
<p>It’s absolutely worth looking into alone if the academics hit the nail on the head in terms of what you’re looking for. It’s huge part of college obviously.</p>
<p>"but please back it up with reasoning other than ‘women’s colleges will improve your leadership skills’–I am perfectly confident with being an outspoken leader in a professional setting, though not a casual social setting.</p>
<p>uhhhhh there are several studies out there that prove single-sex education strengthens the leadership skills of both women & men so I don’t understand why you don’t consider this to be “sound reasoning”. Or talk to any woman who graduated from an all-women’s college and she’ll give you an earful about what you claim isn’t a “resonable” outcome. As a gov major, is it a coincidence that so many women in government went to all-women’s colleges compared to how many women do overall? How many men do you think hold student leadership posistions in a given co-ed school compared to women even if the ratio is more or less 50:50? How many female students do you think are heavily engaged in academic departments (collaborating with profs, etc.) compared to men, especially in those such as math/science/politics/other areas where women are in notoriously disproportionate numbers?</p>
<p>I hardly believe a woman can’t get a great education at a co-ed school, but as a women’s college, Smith was founded and exists to further WOMEN and THEIR careers & aspirations. I never in a million years thought I was going to an all-women’s college & this ideal won me over, as PRish as it sounds. I’m confident that many of the students around me will run the country, cure epidemics, write fantastic lit, do groundbreaking research- and so do most of my friends at co-ed schools- but the difference here is that they’re all women. Women thrive at all-women’s colleges & it makes complete sense, actually.</p>
<p>As big a fan as I am of single-sex education, I’ll fully concede that it’s not for everyone & not everyone will be compelled to choose it. But I think you should absolutely visit Smith/an all-women’s college or two and THEN make your decision of whether this is the type of education that’s right for you. Not because of what you THINK going to a women’s college will be like.</p>
<p>"(Side question: How does Smith do with middle-class financial aid, e.g. AGI 80k?) "</p>
<p>My family makes around that amount and I…go to Smith basically for free. Granted, I no longer pay for the meal plan as I live in a co-op + a renewable outside scholarship picks up most of the tab not covered by fin aid, but I’d still be paying a yearly cost in the single thousands without either of these. Another plus about Smith is great aid for many :)</p>
?